Different and Equal
Introduction
"Different and Equal" is a series of newsletters of a group of children peer- mediators from Calarasi district. Through this newsletter the children aimed to inform their peers and adults about their work.
The newsletter was published quarterly during the school year 2012-2013, being addressed to children, parents, carers and professionals working with children. Children-mediators expect after reading the bulletin:
- - Their colleges and other peers to learn more about discrimination and the right not to be discriminated against;
- - Parents and other adults to find out how children think the right to non-discrimination and protection from violence is respected;
- - Teachers and other adults responsible for child protection to take steps in order to reduce the number of cases of discrimination and violence against children in schools and communities.
Participants
The mediators group included 52 children, students in four schools from Tibirica, Răciula, Bahmut and Pirjolteni villages, from Calarasi district. In early September 2012, each class from 5th to 9th delegated 2 students together with their form teachers. All the teachers were trained on child rights, diversity and non-discrimination. Afterwards, their role was to support the mediators in their work.
A number of 52 children were trained in child rights, with emphasis on the right to non-discrimination and protection from violence. Until May 2013, the mediators observed violations of the right to non-discrimination and protection against violence in their schools and communities; mediated small conflicts that have arisen between classmates; announced teachers or other adults about serious cases of discrimination and violence; held leisure time activities with head teachers and their peers, which helped children make friends and get to know each other better.
These activities were part of the project "Social inclusion of children through participation", implemented by CRIC with the financial support of Soros Foundation Moldova. The project team: Cezar Gavriliuc, Diana Panico, Claudia Danii, Irina Guşanu, Iosif Moldovanu and Smiljana Simeunovic Frick.